Vernon In the Time of Smoke; Reflections on the series of suspicious fires in Vernon

Having lived in Vernon since 1984 I am well aware that at certain times of the year are normally clear skies may be obscured by smoke from forest fires. It clouds the skies and stings the eyes. The smoke reminds us that we live in a province that is subject to both naturally occurring and human caused forest fires. The fire season began early this year and has required resources being recruited from outside the province to contain and control the blazes. Remembering the Okanagan Mountain fire of decade ago we are anxious for those who live in the interface.

In this time of smoke the citizens of Vernon have an added weight of concern. For several months the City has been plagued by a series of suspicious fires. These fires are thought to be caused by the unlawful actions of unknown individual or individuals.  Acting without respect for private or public property the perpetrator of these fires puts us all potentially at risk and particularly those charged with fighting these fires. Of added worry is there seems to be the element of escalation with the most recent fires at Kin race track and at Growers supply.

Besides wringing our hands what can we do as the public?  I suppose all we can do is report any suspicious activity to the RCMP in a timely manner. The season of smoke in the air always passes with time and our clean air is restored. Hopefully an observant public and the continuing efforts of the police will soon bring an end to the fires that have so needlessly endangered our community.

Cheers,

Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer

Who built the road through Kal Park?

I was just wondering about the history of the apparently very bad road through Kal Park. Some questions come to my mind. Who designed it in the first place? Who were the contractors and engineers? Who is responsible for its maintenance? How many vehicles a day use this bad road?
I suppose the MOT has all the answers. I am looking forward to a more public process.
 Cheers Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer

Councillor opposes annexations

Perhaps rather than a blanket no to all requests for boundary extensions it would be fairer to examine each request in detail and judge it on its own its merits. This would be an appropriate way to treat a property owner making a legal request. To say that you are going automatically vote no on all annexation requests sets at naught the right of these property owners for fair consideration. It is my understanding the requests are property owner driven and are not sought by the City of Vernon. They seek access to services not provided by the RDNO.

The ongoing concerns of the electoral areas over tax base should be dealt with by the province. In the meantime  I believe the role of our city council is to the follow the rules as they exist and ensure fair treatment to applicants who wish join the City of Vernon.
Cheers Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer 

Comments on Richard Rolke's Column on the Future of Kin Race Track

Mr Rolke's call to arms will be fully appreciated if the resulting public pressure inspires an amicable and fair resolution to the legal wrangling that has plagued this patch of Vernon for too many years. The right solution could open the way for future development of the site by the parks people. That would be a good thing. Time will tell. The ball appears to be in Vernon's court.
We need to remember  however in the midst of all this opportunity we appear to have an arsonist active in the city. An arsonist who has perhaps seriously escalated his or her activity. Certainly the focus of our attention should be the apprehension of the individual or individuals responsible for the series of fires that have plagued our city for the past few months. Lets be alert out there! Cheers Shawn Lee a concerned Vernon Taxpayer

A Question Asked Almost Every Day

As the fall municipal elections approach those who already hold political office are often asked whether they are going to run again. Some of these politicians may be flattered by the inquiry. Some may find the question distracting from what may seem more pressing matters.  Be assured they all have  given it more than casual consideration.
Of course the answer to this question has been rendered now more complicated by the new longer four year term being initiated in the fall. B.C. is coming in line with the rest of the country as to length of terms for municipal office. Though there are still some naysayers to the change the the rest of the country seems to be holding together just fine in spite of the longer terms.
The change in the term length is more daunting for those who are already well aware of how much work and personal time is required in public office.
It is no wonder that the majority of potential incumbents have stated they need to talk it out with their families before making any commitment.  It those closest to these politicians who now how disruptive political office is to family life.
Cheers, Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer

Fire Destroys Kin Race Track Grandstand

All the publicity about an old wooden structure in need of repair with the power turned off  located in a sparsely populated end of town may have proved too much of a temptation for a purported arsonist to resist. The cause of this fire remains under investigation.Certainly the timing and the context of this blaze has set tongues a "wagging".
We are free to speculate but we need remember that our musings are just that musings.I have no doubt we will see a most thorough investigation of this latest fire by those charged with this responsibility. We anxiously hope this latest fire will prove to be an unfortunate accident and not the latest act of a person or persons unknown...
Cheers Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer

Annexation Clarification Sought

My perception is that Directors Fleming and Macnabb are not seeking a clarification of the rules that govern boundary extensions but rather a change in the application of those rules or new rules all together particularly with regard to annexation requests that come to the City of Vernon.

When property owners in EAs find their needs are no longer being met they are free to make application to the province to be included in a neighbouring municipality that will be able to fulfill those needs.  There are clear criteria that must be met. It is not a rubber stamp process.

 The tone of both recent report to the RDNO on small annexations and the draft OCP for EAs B and C clearly express the concern and resentment over the folios lost piecemeal to the city over the last decade. This is understandable but the stage for these ongoing conflicts was set long ago when the Foothills subdivision was put in place.This subdivision set the geography and service availability realities that are at the root of the problems at least in area C. A solution needs to be found.

I believe that a solution can be found. I also believe that the status quo so energetically defended in the EAs B and C draft Official Plan may not be tenable. Determining ultimate boundaries offers a solution to the uncertainty that plagues our neighbours. The provision of services to residents of an electoral area does not have an appeal to the City. Something needs to done.

Perhaps the attention drawn by the proposed letter to the minister will prompt the Province to be clear about its governance priorities with respect to the long term viability of electoral areas bordering urban centers. Certainly this is not a new issue.

Cheers 

Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer